Accidents involving a pedestrian can cause serious injuries. While many of these accidents can be blamed on drivers, they aren’t always the only ones who should be accused of fault. No matter how murky or complex your case looks, if you have been hurt in an accident our Washington D.C. pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to help you see who needs to be held accountable.
Can a Pedestrian Be At Fault?
In many pedestrian accidents, the driver ends up getting the blame. This is especially likely if it can be shown that the driver was behaving recklessly, distracted, or operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you were hurt as a pedestrian, an insurance company might try to put some of the blame on you. Pedestrians can actually be partly to blame for an accident. If someone jaywalked, ignored a traffic signal, or was distracted by their phone, it would be possible to assign them some of the blame.
When Can a Pedestrian Sue For Damages?
A pedestrian can sue for damages if they have serious injuries, but there’s a reason why assigning blame in a case like this is so important. As we mentioned, insurers will often try to blame the pedestrian because even partial blame can make it impossible for them to pursue compensation. This is due to contributory negligence laws in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. If you are even 1% to blame for an accident, you cannot sue.
This is why it can be a good idea to have a lawyer to defend you from any accusations of wrongdoing. If you are found to be 0% responsible for the accident, then you can sue for compensation that would help make up for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Hiring a personal injury attorney is not mandatory, but you should know what one of our lawyers can do to help you build a case. While you are recovering, your lawyer could be out there:
- Gathering evidence, like surveillance footage
- Negotiating with insurers
- Deploying expert witnesses who can strengthen your case
- Calculating fair compensation
- Defending victims from accusations of fault
- Filing your case before the statute of limitations expires
Do Pedestrian Accident Cases Go to Trial?
Some people settle quickly because it seems easier and they don’t want to sue. Who really has time to go to a trial and deal with everything that comes with that? Well, we do have some good news on that front. If you’re worried about a trial, you should know that many cases don’t reach that point. Your lawyer will do their best to negotiate a deal before a trial begins, securing the compensation you deserve without requiring you to testify in court or wait for a long trial to play out.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
If you want to learn more about how we can be of assistance, contact Trombly & Singer, PLLC. We can schedule a consultation for you and take a closer look at your case. Then we can help you fight for the compensation that you deserve.
